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The Cost of Government Center works to educate taxpayers and policymakers on the full costs imposed by spending and government regulation by encouraging restraint in federal finance, a limited regulatory regime and elimination of discriminatory excise taxes.

Chairman Kline Takes on Failing Education Policy

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 5:46 PM

No Child Left Behind is an example of why the 'one size fits all' mentality is an improper way to govern. Placing standardizations as well as allocating specific resources at the federal level is not working. Our education system is decaying. With increasing costs and decreasing scores it is clear that reform is necessary to ensure that the future of our nation have the knowledge and skills to compete in a global economy. Chairman Kline of the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee is sponsoring two pieces of legislation to address this issue. The two bills reform federal education spending by making the system more transparent, revising its incentive strcutures and shifting control back to states and local school districts where the Constitution intended.

The Student Success Act addresses spending by holding funding authorizations to the FY 2012 instead of automatically increasing as in years past. The bill also dismantles the Adequate Yearly Progress which is a measurement that uses standardized tests as an estimate for a school's academic performance. The act places the measure of accountability back to the states. COGC and ATR endorse this bill, and our letter of support can be found here.

The Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act eliminates over 70 unsuccessful and unfunded government programs. The bill also holds teachers accountable for student improvement and development, instead of favoring credentials and seniority which is the case under the current system. Acknowledging that local communities know best how to spend their money, the EIET Act places resource allocation in the hands of states and local communities. Click here to read COGC and ATR's letter of support for the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act.

Cost of Government Center

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The Cost of Government Center works to educate taxpayers and policymakers on the full costs imposed by spending and government regulation by encouraging restraint in federal finance, a limited regulatory regime and elimination of discriminatory excise taxes.